Rinehart loses suppression bid on family dispute

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has lost her High Court challenge to suppress details of a family feud.

Transcript

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EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: Gina Rinehart may be the richest person in Australia but she hasn't been able to purchase privacy - or family harmony.

Embarrassing details about the mining heiress' relationship with her offspring will soon be revealed.

Three of her four children are trying to have Ms Rinehart removed as the head of a multi-billion dollar trust set up for them.

Emma Renwick reports.

EMMA RENWICK, REPORTER: It's got all the elements of a Shakespearean plot, and the Rinehart family drama is set to be played out on a very public stage, with the High Court clearing the way for details to be released of a private war waged over control of a multi-billion-dollar trust set up by mining magnate Lang Hancock.

(Montage of footage of Gina Rinehart in various social and official settings)

The ABC can now reveal that Gina Rinehart told her children that to avoid financial ruin, they needed to sign a new deed to give her long-term control of the trust.

On news that the 58-year-old had failed to keep a lid on the family feud, her lawyer said she was extremely disappointed that a private matter was being made public.

They then sent out their own media release saying.

"The children have enjoyed very privileged lives - private schooling, extensive holidays overseas, designer clothes, expensive jewellery. Each have chosen multi-millio-dollar homes with water views and swimming pools to enjoy.

The children have seen fit not to follow sound advice from family friends that if they are not happy they should go out and earn for themselves."

Ginia Rinehart, who sides with her mother in the family feud, released a statement saying her siblings were "motivated entirely by greed. My brother and sisters will regret putting money before family"

"My mother and I remain focussed on protecting our company..."

Gina Rinehart's lawyers successfully argued the release of more details be delayed until Monday.